Drowning

Every year at the seaside and on lakes, rivers and canals people drown. Please ensure that tragedy does not mar your holiday on the Norfolk Broads. Never take risks that may result in you falling in. Always hold on to grab rails when walking around the decks. Non swimmers should stay in the cockpit while the boat is in motion and wear a life jacket available from the boat yard. Remember racing crews all wear them! If anyone falls in get help to them quickly by hooking their clothes with a boathook, by throwing the boats life ring, by getting to them by dingy; or -only if you’re a strong swimmer- by getting promptly into the water yourself to rescue them. Be wise-work out on the first day of your holiday by having a safety drill for everyone on board, and a rescue plan in case anyone falls in.


 

Hampton Safari River Cruiser

Today’s assignment was at Richardson’s Boat Yard in Stalham on the Northern Broads, carrying out a Pre-purchase Survey on this little Hampton Safari River Cruiser.

In the 1960's, Alec Hampton's boat hire business 'Hampton Boats' at Oulton Broad consisted of a fleet of traditional mahogany cruisers. Alec then designed the mark one Hampton Safari for production in fibreglass. The length was increased from 22' 6" to 25'6" and the beam from 8' 6" to 9' 6". A plug was made from marine plywood, which was then used to form the female hull moulding. The boats were moulded firstly by Rydgeway Marine of Kessingland, and then by Bob Smith of Lowestoft.

Although a total of 256 Hampton Safaris were produced from 1969 to 1982, most were supplied to other hire-boat yards as bare mouldings for their staff to complete. During the peak years, Hampton Boats ran 14 Safari 25's in it's fleet, but this reduced to just two in the final season of 2002. Sadly, the yard has now ceased trading, and will surely be missed by the large regular clientele, some of which have been regulars for nearly 30 years.(Hamptons themselves only built one Safari for private use, in 1971 called 'Blue Tit' for John Jarrold, who was then the Mayor of Norwich).

This is the Mark II version with sliding wheelhouse/lounge. They are somewhat difficult to distinguish because individual boatyards completed the Hampton mouldings to their own spec. Mark 1's (usually) didn't have the integral molding for the gas bottle stowage under the afterdeck, or the moulded in mudweight holder on the foredeck. The control panel moulding was different and the keel was smaller.

Paul Richardson often has ex hire boats for sale. He usually ( not always) includes a paint of the topsides and an antifoul as part of the sales price. So the boats ready to go ready for the start of the holiday season.

Paul Richardsons staff were all very busy today getting the hire fleet ready for the start of the season.. this must be one of the largest working boat sheds on the Broads

'Big foot'... A very adaptable hoist.. a must for moving 100's of boats around

Surveyors comments: Check for window leaks on older models. To stop windows leaking you may have use a non-hardening caulking so that the caulking can move with the expansion. To deal with this problem, you may have to remove the frames, rebed them and refasten them less tightly than they were previously installed.

Some osmosis blistering will be common... But usually structuraly insignificant. However, its good practice to take these little boats out of the water over the winter period and store them in the dry, out of this reducing the possibility of further osmotically induced gel coat blistering.

On older models, check all floor bearers and lower bulkheads for timber deterioration.
A good one will fetch 14K +.

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I specialise in Boats of all types, and I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at: steventruss1@aol.com

Jack Powles 39 River Cruiser

I was back in Brundall on the South Norfolk Broads today carrying out a Pre-purchase Survey on this Jack Powles 39 River Cruiser. Norfolk Yacht Agency were the acting Yacht Brokers. Norfolk Yacht Agency’s Service Station is very busy this time of year. Thier Broadland Boat Centre offers a 'one stop shop' for the maintenance and refurbishment of motor cruisers. They have a good staff of experienced professionals, and there service station is equipped with a 12 ton gantry hoist, joinery machine shop upstairs and and engineering workshop on ground level. The centre offers quality engineers who carry out all types of work from routine maintenance to full renovation and fit-out projects.

This was a boat that I remember from years ago and was unusual. Refitted about six years ago by HMS Marine in Brundall. It is now an ideal liveaboard with one big forward cabin that contains a large double berth. The re-fit has been done to a very good standard and all the space has been utilised to it's maximum potential providing comfort and ease of use.

Jack Powles History: In the 70s and early 80s, Jack Powles of Wroxham was one of the country's major powerboat builders, alongside Brooms. They were building boats designed by Bernard Olesinski who also designed for Fairlines and Princess Cruisers. ( like the Powles 36, 38, 41,Super 38 Seagoing Motor Cruisers), but in the early 1990s they became JPC Ltd and no longer actively built boats. Many of the inland waterways Powles fleet have dispersed to other waterways, but a few still remain on the Broads.

Looks like the original 50HP 2.5 litre BMC Diesel Captain

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I specialise in Boats of all types, and I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at:

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Sealine 218 Sports Cruiser

Today’s assignment was at Barnes of Brinkcraft in Wroxham carrying out just a Hull Survey on this Sealine 218 Sports Cruiser built by Sealine International, formerly Fibrasonic Marine.  The 218 has many of the features of its predecessor, in fact, the interior is basically unchanged. The 218 was the first in the Sealine range to have two separate cabins, a definite plus in a 21' boat.

Its worth checking out Sealines new website.... and looking at their new generation of boats, the brand has never been stronger and provides great opportunities for growth in both traditional and new markets. They really are now building exceptional Sealine boats...

Horrendous today, pouring down with rain and a real gale blowing. Mathew Thwaites the owner of the yard did well getting the boat out of the water. I think most hoists and cranes were out of action across the Broads today!

Surveyors comments: A good inspection of the sterndrives is important: Check drive lift motors, bellows, props, oils, bearings, seals, sacrificial anodes etc. I recommend that all sacrificial anodes are checked regularly, failure to do so may cause serious corrosion problems

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Fairline Sprint Sports Cruiser

I was Surveying this compact Sports Cruiser in Horning today on the Northern Norfolk Broads. The acting Broker was Norfolk Yacht Agency.

These little Fairline Sports Cruisers are very popular and sought after being an ideal first time boat or family cruiser. They are the usual Fairline build quality and Sprints are always cited in sports cruisers of this size. Whilst described as 21 she is in fact 23’ including the 2’ bathing platform. Also described as 4+2 accommodation to account for the (occasional) berth on the sunbed in the cockpit.

The 210HP V8 good for 30 Knots!

The staff at Ferry Marine washing her off for Survey

Surveyors comment: Great little starter boat…they were only made from 1988 to 1991. In "normal" times they seem to change hands for 12-15k with the petrol fitted.

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I specialise in Boats of all types, and I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at: steventruss1@aol.com

Guess where from? The USA of course!

The best way to keep down the number of wires going direct to your boats battery terminals is to install a bus-bar system, leaving just two wires connected to your battery. But in smaller or older boats this could be seen to be an expensive overkill. I came across this gadget which makes a clean, tidy and safe connection of wires direct to the battery terminals. Called a Marinco Direct Connect it costs about £20 for a pair of connectors. These bolt directly to the terminal stud. So you get a neat red and black covered quick-connect terminal block which allow you to lead all the wires in the same direction instead of having them coming into terminal studs at all angles.

To many wires going direct to the terminal!



Marinco Direct Connect.

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I specialise in Boats of all types, and I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report  steventruss1@aol.com
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Relcraft 29

I surveyed this rare Motor Cruiser down at Norfolk Yacht Agency in Brundall today on the South Norfolk Broads. Designed by John Moxham, as were all the boats in the Relcraft range from Reliance Marine. The Relcraft 29 was produced in 1981 and about 200 were built. (this was one of the last). There were two versions of this fast British Cruiser: The Zicon, with centre cockpit and aft cabin, and the Topaz (this one), without the aft cabin but with a very large cockpit. ( ideal for the Broads for socialising or FISHING!).

The Zircon sleeps six… where as this Topaz sleeps four, with one open plan main cabin. Both boats have a hard tops over the helm position. Like the other boats of the Relcraft range the hull is deep vee with unusual concave chines. (see head on pic).

Power comes from single or twin outdrives commonly twin petrol Mercruisers or Volvos of 120 or 140Hp each, the latter pushing the boat along at up to 25 Knots… this one has the 120Hp Volvo (six cylinder turbo) .. She reached 20 odd knots during her short river trial this morning.... and that was with the trim tabs out of commission!

Surveyors comments: Yet another British built seaworthy semi dispacement cruiser from the 80's..

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I specialise in Boats of all types, and I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at: steventruss1@aol.com

Finance Surveys for Boats

I provide a range of Marine Surveys including Pre-Purchase Surveys, Systems Surveys, Sea Trials, Insurance Surveys, Valuation Reports and Finance Surveys.

 My surveys are recognised by most Financial Institutions and Insurance Companies in the UK, Europe and beyond. All my services are indemnified by full professional indemnity insurance.

Financial Institutions often lend money against the security of a yacht or powerboat and when they do they need independent verification that the vessel is in reasonable enough condition to justify the amount of money being loaned. Financial Surveys do not require the level of detail of a Pre-Purchase Survey or Full Condition Survey. Like the Insurance Survey Ill give a realistic assessment of the fair market value of the vessel at the time of the Survey. I can tailor a Financial Survey and Valuation Report for the Financial Institution concerned.

Sheerline 950 (31’) Motor Cruiser

Today’s assignment was at Sheerline Boats in Thorpe, Norwich, also known as Wroxham Marine. Sheerline Motor Cruisers, built by Wroxham Marine Ltd, offer you the choice of a wide range of traditionally crafted, personally built, luxury motor cruisers. In their Norfolk-based boatyard, each vessel is completed to the highest standards of build quality, handling and finish. The Range of models covers a number of designs with aft cabin, aft cockpit, centre cockpit and sedan configurations to suit all inland waters, rivers and estuaries and, offshore use.

This Sheerline 950 (31’) provides a perfect entry craft into river cruising. Fold-down screens and hood make this an ideal cruiser for inland waterways with restricted heights. The spacious aft cockpit features a large bench seat to the rear with twin adjustable helmsman's bucket seats. Well positioned stainless steel grab rails all round make for a safe craft for crew to walk around the outside. Despite its size, full standing headroom is a feature throughout this vessel. The forward cabin features two 'V' berths with the option of an infill making a double The galley and dinette area provides seating for four in comfort and converts into a double berth. A shower and toilet compartment completes the high quality accommodation.

 

 

Thinking of Buying a Boat and Need Help? I specialise in Boats of all types, and I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at: steventruss1@aol.com

Pedro Skiron 35 Motor Cruiser

I was back down at Bells Marine in Brundall on the South Norfolk Broads today Surveying the second Pedro Motor Cruiser this month. She was the same colour and year (2005) but a slightly smaller Perkins Sabre diesel engine at 86HP.

Pedro Boats of Zuidbroek in the Netherlands produce a range of steel craft and they are becoming more and more popular on the Broads, J.R. Cole of Brundall is the UK's exclusive distributor, so the make is becoming even more common.

Bells marine is directly opposite the Broom Boats factory and today they were busy moving around the new moulds… lots of activity at Brooms at the moment.. Im looking forward to seeing their new models for 2012, including the Broom 525, Broom 35 Coupe, Broom 300 and a new design and layout for the Broom 395.

This house boat has been moored at Bells for years... what a great life it must be living on the river front

I specialise in Boats of all types, and I will assist you to make an informed decision. Contact me for a detailed and comprehensive report at: steventruss1@aol.com